Administrative Rules FAQs

What is the easiest way for an agency to obtain the current rule text in Word format for use in preparing amendments to an administrative rule?

Current rule text in Word format is available on the Secretary of State’s (SOS) Administrative Rule Division website.

Where can I find the fiscal note forms, declaration, and transmittal sheet I need to complete for filing a rule?

Copies of the fiscal note forms, declaration, and transmittal form are available at https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/forms. The forms may be downloaded, completed, and saved as a document in your system prior to submission to SOS.

Where do I email an electronic copy of the rule text?

You email an electronic Word copy of the rule to [email protected] prior to filing the original and paper copy(ies) with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) and Secretary of State (SOS) Administrative Rules Division.  

What is required to be contained in the rulemaking packet filed with Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the Secretary of State’s office?

The rule packet should contain in this order, 1) a completed transmittal sheet, 2) a certification letter addressed to SOS for the SOS packets, 3) a certification letter addressed to JCAR for the JCAR packet, 4) a public cost declaration, 5) a hard copy of the rule text, 6) a public cost fiscal note if applicable, 7) a private cost fiscal note if applicable, and 8) forms or other included-herein materials if applicable. Put all of these documents in a PDF document for filing. The PDF packet will be emailed to [email protected]  Remember also to email an electronic Word copy of the rule text and fiscal notes, when applicable, prior to filing the rulemaking packets with JCAR and SOS to [email protected].

Does the Secretary of State’s office have any format requirements for the rules?

The Secretary of State’s office requires 1) 11- or 12-point type for the rule text, 2) use of only one side of the paper, 3), and a JCAR stamp on the transmittal and on each original and copy of every rule filing. Additionally, amendments are required to have brackets and italics for deleted text and bold type for new text

When is an agency required to file a public fiscal note?

A public fiscal note must be filed if a proposed or emergency rule, amendment, or rescission will require or result in an expenditure of public funds by or a reduction of public revenues for the proposing agency or any other state agency or any political subdivision and which is estimated to cost more than five hundred dollars in the aggregate (over the lifetime of the rule) or, for an emergency, the time the emergency is in effect, to any such agency or political subdivision. The public fiscal note must provide a detailed estimated cost of compliance for each affected agency or each class of affected political subdivision and be supported by a declaration by the director of the department that the estimated cost is reasonably accurate. If the proposed or emergency rule, amendment, or rescission is estimated to cost less than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate or, for an emergency, the time the emergency is in effect, then the agency must file a declaration by the department director to that effect. Fiscal note forms and declarations are available on line at https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/forms.

When is an agency required to file a private fiscal note?

A private fiscal note must be filed if a proposed or emergency rule, amendment, or rescission will require an expenditure of money by or reduction in income for any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, proprietorship, or business entity of any kind or character and is estimated to cost more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate (over the lifetime of the rule) or, for an emergency, the time the emergency is in effect. The private fiscal note must provide an estimate of the number of persons or business entities by class that would be affected, a classification by types of the business entities in such manner to give reasonable notice of the number and kind of business affected, and an estimate in the aggregate for the cost of compliance for the affected entities. Fiscal note forms are available online at https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/forms.

May an agency with cost estimates of more than five hundred dollars ($500) indicate in its public and private fiscal note(s) and declaration that the public or private entity cost is undetermined rather than providing actual cost calculations?

No. The state agency must provide actual cost calculations and projections in the aggregate (over the lifetime of the rule) or, for an emergency, the time the emergency is in effect, for all agencies, political subdivisions, persons, or business entities affected by the rule, or the rule will be void and of no further force and effect. Some agencies do so by providing a first-year cost and then estimated annual costs thereafter for the lifetime of the rule. See, Missouri Hospital Association v. Air Conservation Commission, 874 S.W.2d 380 (Mo. App. W.D. 1994).

What entities are considered political subdivisions for which a state agency must calculate costs in a public cost fiscal note when filing a rule, rule amendment, or rule rescission? 

Section 536.200, RSMo, provides that a political subdivision includes counties, cities, towns, and villages, and school, road, drainage, sewer, water, levee, or any other special-purpose district.

What is incorporated-by-reference material? Where can I find incorporated-by-reference material?

According to section 536.031.4, RSMo, an agency may incorporate by reference rules, regulations, standards, and guidelines of an agency of the United States or a nationally or state recognized organization or association without publishing the material in full. The reference to the material incorporated in the rule must fully identify the incorporated material by publisher, address, and date in order to specify how a copy of the material may be obtained, and shall state that the referenced rule, regulation, standard, or guideline does not include any later amendments or additions.

The agency incorporating a rule, regulation, standard, or guideline must maintain a copy of the referenced rule, regulation, standard, or guideline at the headquarters of the agency and make it available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. Materials incorporated by reference must be on permanent file with the agency and may not be discarded when the materials are updated.

What is the difference in meaning between incorporated-by-reference material and included-herein material?

If material is referred to as “included herein,” then the material must actually accompany the rule and be published with it. 

How does the public submit comments to an agency regarding proposed rules, proposed amendment to rules, or the proposed rescission of rules?

Comments are submitted to the agency proposing the rule or rule changes. The text of the proposed rule, amendment, or rescission will provide the name and address of the agency or entity where comments must be filed and the deadline for submitting such comments. 

Comments are not filed directly with the Secretary of State (SOS) Administrative Rules.  

Once an agency has received all comments to a proposed rulemaking, what is the next step in the rulemaking process?

The agency prepares a final order of rulemaking that includes summaries of all the comments received, the agency response to each comment, and any changes made to the proposed rule as a result of the comments. Similar comments may be consolidated into one comment as part of the final order of rulemaking. 

When is the final order of rulemaking filed with SOS?

The final order of rulemaking must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than ninety (90) days from the date for filing public comment, or within ninety (90) days after hearing if a hearing is held on the proposed rulemaking, or it will become void and the process will have to start over. Prior to filing with the SOS, the final order must be filed first with the JCAR for their thirty- (30-) day review period.

After the final order of rulemaking is filed with the Secretary of State, when does the new rule or rule change(s) become effective?

The new rule or rule change becomes effective thirty (30) days after the final order of rulemaking is published in the Code of State Regulations.

What is an emergency rule?

Under section 536.025, RSMo, an emergency rule requires an early effective date because of an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare or to preserve a compelling governmental interest.

How quickly can an emergency rule become effective?

Emergency rules may be effective not less than ten (10) business days after filing or at such later date as may be specified in the rule.

How long can an emergency rule stay in effect?

An emergency rulemaking is effective for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days or thirty (30) legislative days, whichever period is longer, and may be terminated at any time by the agency. All emergency rules must include a statement setting forth the dates during which they will be in effect.

My emergency rule is about to expire. May I file another one?

No. Emergency rules are not renewable. If a proposed rule is filed at the same time as an emergency, it is possible to have the proposed rule become effective before or by the time the emergency rule expires. 

Once an emergency rulemaking is filed with the Secretary of State, will it automatically go into effect?

No. Emergency rules are reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office to determine if they comply with the statutory requirements for publication and adoption. See, Section 536.025, RSMo.

Is the rulemaking manual available on the Internet?

Yes. The Missouri State Rulemaking Manual is online.

Is there a way for my agency to arrange for training on rulemaking?

Yes. The Administrative Rules Division of the Secretary of State conducts rulemaking training sessions for state agencies. To set up a rulemaking class, call (573) 751-4015.

What is the Missouri Register?

The Missouri Register is the magazine that sets forth all state agency rulemakings as they proceed through the rulemaking process. Specifically, the Register will contain emergency rules, proposed rules, final orders of rulemaking, and in additions. The purpose of the Missouri Register is to allow citizens access to the rulemaking process and the ability to comment on and recommend changes to proposed rules. Additionally, other state government information such as dissolutions of limited liability companies and limited partnerships are published in the Register.

How often is it published?

The Missouri Register is published twice a month, around the 1st and 15th of each month.

Where can I find it the Missouri Register?

The Missouri Register is online at https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/moreg/moreg.

What is the Code of State Regulations?

The Code of State Regulations is the set of all state agencies' rules. The rules in the Code are organized by state agency. 

How often is it published?

An update to the Code of State Regulations is published once a month on the last day of the month except in January when it is published on the 29th (30th in a leap year). The rulemakings published in the Code become effective thirty (30) days after they are published unless a later day has been chosen by the agency.

Where can I find the Code of State Regulations?

The Code of State Regulations is available online at https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/csr.

Do I need to publish the dissolution of my company in the Missouri Register?

Yes. The Secretary of State is required by sections 347.141 and 359.481, RSMo, to publish dissolutions of limited liability companies and limited partnerships. The content requirements for the one-time publishing of these notices are prescribed by these same sections of statute.

How do I file a dissolution for publication in the Missouri Register?

We request that documents submitted for publication in this section be submitted as an attachment in print-ready 8 ½" x 11" manuscript by email to [email protected] or by faxing to (573) 751-3032.

What is the charge for publishing a dissolution in the Missouri Register?

There is no charge to publish a dissolution in the Missouri Register.

Where can I find the Sovereign Immunity Limit?

The Sovereign Immunity Limit is published yearly in the Missouri Register, usually in December or January. The most current limit published can be found in the Rule Changes Since Update table in any issue of the Missouri Register under 20 CSR Sovereign Immunity Limit. The last page number listed will be the most current limit published.

Where do I find the Medical Malpractice Limit?

The Medical Malpractice Limit is published yearly in the Missouri Register, usually in March or April. The most current limit published can be found in the Rule Changes Since Update table in the latest issue of the Missouri Register under 20 CSR Medical Malpractice. The last page number listed will be the most current limit published.